Compare - SHARP Network

Innovation

Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

Mark McCracken

The federal government must properly fund public education from pre-K through college. This would help ensure that our young people are receiving proper education and are ready to accept the challenge to bring new ideas and do the research necessary to solve science and technology issues now and in the future.

Second, we must challenge both the public and private sector to always be researching new and better ways to create products, software, medicines, etc. that will enhance and improve our way of life here in the United States. The federal government should be ready to offer funding towards any research and development projects that will have a significant impact on our citizens. Most notable would be the development of alternative fuels, new technologies in the auto industry that would replace the internal combustion engine with an engine powered by battery cell or other power source other than traditional petroleum based products. We also need to be constantly researching all possible ways to cleanly and safely produce the electricity that we need to power our country. Perhaps most important is funding for any health / medicine / medical treatment related research and development that will produce better treatment, cures or prevention of known diseases.

Finally, the federal government, from both the executive and legislative branches, should be putting in place long term policies to make the federal government fiscally secure and our nation should have a long term national energy policy in place. These long term policies should be decided on, and, current and future elected officials MUST stick with these policies rather than changing them for short term political gain.

Throughout the 20th century, the United States was the nation developing and refining many of the products and technologies that are now common around the world. At some point, we lost that leadership advantage and we must work to get it back.

Glenn Thompson

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Glenn Thompson to participate by sending him an email or contacting him through his webform today.

Climate Change

The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?

Mark McCracken

I am on record recognizing that global climate change is a problem that the United States, and hopefully all developed nations, will adopt policies to address.

We have reliable data from several decades that show the effects of pollution on our planet and how it is effecting climate and weather patterns. I believe we must use this available and reliable scientific data to put in place policies that will slow, halt and eventually reverse the negative impacts that the human race is having on the climate and environment.

As for specifics, I fully support increased fuel-economy standards. Taking that further, I strongly support, as noted in question 1, investing in R&D with the auto industry to replace the internal combustion engine as the power source for our nation’s automobiles. We need to make a real commitment over the next decade to to develop battery or other power sources to power our automobiles.

I am also a strong proponent of investing in alternative energy research and constantly researching ways to make our industrial and manufacturing processes cleaner.

Glenn Thompson

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Glenn Thompson to participate by sending him an email or contacting him through his webform today.

Energy

Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

Mark McCracken

A main component of my campaign for the US Congress is my hands on knowledge and strong support for domestically produced alternative fuels - especially ethanol. In Clearfield County where I currently serve as a county commissioner, we have 3 significant economic development projects underway, 2 ethanol plants and a electric generating plant powered by waste coal. While the initial ethanol plants are corn based, the plan is to work to develop other cellulose sources within 5 years.

I believe the United States must set policies to domestically manufacture a large portion of our energy needs. We are at the point in history where other nations, specifically China and India, are becoming more dependent on oil from the Middle East. Our federal government leaders must recognize that our security as a nation is at risk unless we develop renewable energy and fuel sources that we can manufacture here at home.

The top priority should be to put in place a long term comprehensive energy policy that clearly defines goals and objectives that the entire nation must meet. My opinion is that a national comprehensive energy policy would contain certain goals and benchmarks that must be met 10, 25, 50 and possibly even 100 years into the future. By the federal government setting clear goals and benchmarks this would inspire our scientists and research industries to strive to meet these goals. Without sounding too political, I think an obvious comparison would be when President Kennedy made the challenge in the early 60's that we should go to the moon by the end of the decade.

One final note, I truly believe that we can reinvigorate our national economy if we make a real commitment to developing a domestic alternative fuels industry. There are so many jobs that will be created by producing our own fuels and investing in clean energy technology. If we make the commitment as a nation, it could sustain our economy for many years into the future.

Glenn Thompson

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Glenn Thompson to participate by sending him an email or contacting him through his webform today.

Education

A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?

Mark McCracken

As a former school board member (10 years), I believe the federal government's role should be more funding based with standards and policies decided at the state and local level.

At the state and local level, I believe school districts should be working closely with local and regional business interests and higher education facilities to set the standards that students should achieve for graduation. By business and academia working together with the school districts to set the standards, then we can be sure 18 / 19 year olds will be graduating high school with the education and knowledge they need to move to the next level.

I am in total opposition to No Child Left Behind. As a former school board member, I saw first hand how a "one size fits all" set of standards does not and cannot work. Our nation is too large and diverse to think that what works in California or Texas will work in the poor southern states or here in rural central Pennsylvania. Let the standards be set at the state, regional and local levels based on what is needed in a specific geographic region.

Glenn Thompson

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Glenn Thompson to participate by sending him an email or contacting him through his webform today.

Water

Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

Mark McCracken

As a county commissioner, I have supported funding for several stream and waterway cleanup projects in Clearfield County. I have also been a strong voice against certain projects, specifically landfill construction, that could contaminate subsurface water supplies.

On the national level, I believe we must do a long range study on water supplies and see what amount is necessary to cover our population's needs into the future. Using the data and opinions collected, we should put long range plans in effect to make sure there are adequate water supplies in all areas of the nation. If certain areas are identified as lacking the necessary water resources, then, we should look into the possibility of designing an infrastructure to move water to the areas where it will be needed.

Glenn Thompson

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Glenn Thompson to participate by sending him an email or contacting him through his webform today.

Research

For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

Mark McCracken

The major concern I have as a candidate is the poor fiscal shape our nation is in. Recently it was reported by the White House that the Bush Administration will leave a $482 billion deficit and other sources confirm that our national debt is at $9.5 trillion and growing. While I would like to commit to additional funding for science and research, my top priority is to first balance the budget, build a surplus and pay down the enormous debt. Once this is done, I will put investment in research, science and engineering towards the top of my priority list for funding.

I will note this - In 2001 when George W. Bush took office and the US Congress was totally controlled by the Republican party, we had a surplus and the federal debt was being paid down. Fiscal policies put in place during the 90's would have had the federal debt paid off around 2013. Poor political decisions made from 2001 to 2007 have our federal government in the worst fiscal and financial shape in history.

Glenn Thompson

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Glenn Thompson to participate by sending him an email or contacting him through his webform today.

Health

Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?

Mark McCracken

As was stated in earlier questions, I believe we should utilize science, research and technology to develop new medicines and treatments for all known diseases. I also believe we should research preventative measures so people can make informed decisions on their lifestyles.

Through effective research and preventative measures, we can decrease the overall national cost of health care. This will also lead people to live longer, healthier and more productive lives.

Glenn Thompson

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Glenn Thompson to participate by sending him an email or contacting him through his webform today.

Scientists & Engineers for America

Candidate Responses for PA-5

Innovation

Mark McCracken

Glenn Thompson

Climate Change

Mark McCracken

Glenn Thompson

Energy

Mark McCracken

Glenn Thompson

Education

Mark McCracken

Glenn Thompson

Water

Mark McCracken

Glenn Thompson

Research

Mark McCracken

Glenn Thompson

Health

Mark McCracken

Glenn Thompson

Our Partner

SHARP Network

Recent News Stories